Safety for Small Kids

CEBU, Philippines - Trying to keep your child safe can cause grey hairs to pop overnight. Check out these precautionary measures for a child-safe home:

Lowdown on safety

To child-proof your home most effectively, get on your hands and knees and crawl around your house to get a "baby's-eye view." You'll notice many potential trouble spots you might never have seen otherwise.

Bathers beware

Child-proof the slippery edge of the bathtub by placing a bath mat with suction cups over the side.

No more tacks

A metallic stove or counter mat fastened to the wall makes a safe bulletin board for young children. Pictures can be hung with magnetic note holders (commonly used on refrigerators) instead of potentially harmful thumbtacks or pushpins. The mat also provides a terrific spot to practice spelling with colorful, magnetic letters of the alphabet.

Safe toy storage

Use laundry baskets as toy boxes. They are durable, economical and don't have lids that might fall down on little hands and heads. Sturdy boxes that small appliances (like TV or stereo sets) come in can also be covered with colorful self-adhesive paper and used as special storage containers in your child's room.

For tumbling toddlers

Two tennis wristbands worn like kneepads keep you toddler's knees scrape-free.

Swing set

Unlike standard playground equipment, which has welded links, most retail swing sets have open links. As a result, hair can become tangled or fingers can get cut is a child tries to grasp the chain when falling. To remedy this problem, slip each chain through a 3- to 4-foot length of hose before hanging the swings.

No slip pool

Apply bathtub appliqués to the bottom of your youngster's inflatable wading pool. The appliqués have just enough grip to keep small feet from slipping.

Instant ice packs

. Save small, empty, preferably somewhat flat plastic bottles and containers from hand creams and shampoos. Clean them thoroughly, fill with water and place in the freezer to use for bumps and bruises that may need ice. Simply return the bottle or container to the freezer for the next time it may be needed.

.  Fill self-sealing plastic bags with water and stick them in the freezer as quick ice packs for aches and bruises. Before applying, pop them in a hand-puppet washcloth or wrath in a towel.

.  For bruised lips and tongues, try popsicles! They not only taste goo, sucking on them reduces swelling and soothes the pain.

Safe seat

To prevent your baby from sliding the seat of a wooden highchair, cut a textured plastic car floormat to fit the seat. It wipes clean easily and your baby stays securely in place.

Picture perfect

For kids who can't read yet but have been taught how to use the telephone, here's a method for easily determining whom to call in case of emergency:

Put a poster board on the wall near the phone and use symbols or pictures for the people and places to be called. Then draw a line in a bold color leading to the phone number. For example, for the fire Department, use a picture of firemen , for Dad's office number, a picture of him and so on. (FREEMAN)